Petition grows to restore free bus travel for over-60s across England
Report by Stephen Collier for Pulman's Weekly News
Thousands of people across England have signed a petition calling on the Government to extend free bus travel to all those aged over 60, amid growing concerns about rising pension ages and unequal access to concessionary travel.
Currently, free bus passes in England are only available to people who have reached the state pension age, which is 66 and set to increase to 67 between 2026 and 2028. This contrasts with Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and London, where people can claim free bus travel from age 60.
The petition states: “We call on the Government to extend free bus travel to all people over 60 years old in England outside London. We believe the current situation is unjust and we want equality for everyone over 60.
“Currently, people in England who do not live in London are not entitled to free bus travel until they reach the state pension age, which we believe has changed dramatically. As people get older some over 60s drive less and less, therefore we believe we need equality on public transport.”
With a deadline of 27th June 2025, the petition has gathered over 85,000 signatures and, if it reaches 100,000, will be considered for debate in Parliament.
In response, the Department for Transport said: “The English National Concessionary Travel Scheme costs around £700 million annually. Any changes to the statutory scheme must be carefully considered for their impact on its financial sustainability.
“The government wants everyone to have access to public transport and is committed to improving services. We also recognise the importance of the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) in supporting local bus travel, assisting with access to essential local services and helping those who use it to stay active and avoid isolation.
“The ENCTS provides free off-peak bus travel to those with eligible disabilities and those of state pension age, currently sixty-six.”
The Department added that local councils have the discretion to offer additional concessions funded from their own budgets, but financial pressures mean this is inconsistent.
Many older people say the current rules leave them facing higher travel costs or forced to wait years before qualifying for a free bus pass, despite cutting back on driving.
The petition has brought fresh attention to the issue, highlighting the growing gap in travel rights as the pension age rises.
The petition is available to view and sign at: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/702845
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